Aims: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is the preferred treatment modality for patients with severe aortic stenosis at high or prohibitive risk for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). We aimed to evaluate real-world outcomes after treatment according to the decisions of the multidisciplinary heart team in a Belgian health-economic context.

Methods And Results: Four hundred and five high-risk patients referred to a tertiary centre between 1 March 2008 and 31 December 2015 were screened and planned to undergo SAVR, TAVI or medical treatment (MT). Read More

Objectives: The coarctation of aorta is commonly related to bicuspid aortic valve. The aim of the study was to assess arterial stiffness in adults after aortic coarctation repair and to evaluate an impact of bicuspid aortic valve concomitance on arterial stiffness results.

Methods: Fifty-eight patients after coarctation of aorta repair, 36 male, median age of 27. Read More

Background: Heart failure (HF) imposes a burden for patients and health economics. General practitioners (GPs) are confronted with the broadest range of HF management. Although guidelines exist, they are not fully implemented in the Belgian health care system. Read More

Methods: The medical records of 1876 adult patients who were referred for clinically indicated non-invasive CAD detection with SPECT/CT from January 2011 to December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcome was the occurrence of MACEs, including cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), unstable angina (UA), and late revascularisation. Read More

Background: The impact of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) depends heavily on the presentation of the findings.

Objective: Classically, RCT findings are presented in the form of absolute risk reduction (ARR), number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one adverse outcome, and relative risk reduction (RRR) or hazard ratio (the most favourable means for drug marketing). However, the estimation of average survival gain (i. Read More

Methods: Between December 2016 and January 2018, we retrospectively collected baseline and follow-up data including New York Heart Association (NYHA)-functional class and Cardio-pulmonary exercise data(CPET) in all HF-patients receiving sacubitril/valsartan. Read More

Background And Objective: Treatment for patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) can be either conservative or invasive (alcohol septal ablation (ASA) and myectomy). As there is no clear consensus on the long-term effects of these different strategies, the aim was to compare the long-term outcome in a large tertiary referral university hospital.

Methods: We describe baseline data and treatment patterns of patients recruited in Belgium in the Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF). Recruitment began when novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) were introduced and provides a unique picture of changing treatment patterns over time. Read More

Background: The outcome of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) varies considerably. Several ECG parameters have recently emerged (PQ interval, P-wave, T-peak-to-T-end interval, T-wave, T/R ratio, J-wave) beyond traditional markers (rhythm, QRS, Q-wave, QT interval, ST segment) and were attributed important prognostic value in the setting of coronary artery disease. The present study integrated for the first time these ECG parameters altogether with the aim to determine their role in predicting patients' outcome after a PCI. Read More

The effects of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors result from the inhibition of the ACE (kininase II) to ultimately influence both the renin-angiotensin system and the degradation of the bradykinin (BK) metabolism. ACE inhibitors block the degradation of BK and substance P by ACE. In addition, an active metabolite of BK (Des-Arg9-BK) is catalysed by kininase I and its degradation is controlled in part by the conversion enzyme. Read More

Authors:

a Department of Cardiology , University Hospital of Gazi University , Ankara , Turkey.

Background: High-sensitive cardiac troponin (hsTn) levels can be elevated due to non-pathological events such as strenuous exercise. However, the effect of statins on circulating hsTnT levels with moderate exercise is uncertain. Therefore, we evaluated the impact of statins on hsTnT level with moderate exercise. Read More

Background: Recent studies suggested that chronic total occlusion of the coronary artery increased risk of ventricular arrhythmia (VA) and all-cause mortality in ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) patient who underwent implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) implantation. We aim to demonstrate an association between a presence of CTO and poor cardiovascular outcome in ICD implanted ICM patients.

Objective: To examine the association between the presence of CTO and all-cause mortality in ICM with ICD implantation Methods: We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to February 2018. Read More

a Second Department of Cardiology, Laboratory of Cardiac Electrophysiology , "Evangelismos" General Hospital of Athens , Athens , Greece.

Background: Data regarding long-term outcomes of atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation are limited. This study evaluated the safety, long-term efficacy and predictors of recurrence after a single left atrial ablation procedure in patients with paroxysmal (PAF) and non-paroxysmal AF (NPAF).

Background: Quality indicators (QIs) are used to measure and evaluate quality of care. However, QIs to evaluate care for HF patients in general practice in Belgium are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to determine which QIs, rooted in the electronic health record (EHR), are useful to monitor quality of care for patients with HF in general practice. Read More

Background: Activity of protein C has important role in the development of early necrosis and no-reflow phenomenon in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI).

Methods: We examined association between plasma activity of protein C, antithrombin, coagulation factors II, VII, VIII and fibrinogen to early formation of new Q-waves (myocardial necrosis) before pPCI and early ST-segment resolution (microcirculatory reperfusion) after pPCI in patients with acute STEMI. According to ischaemic time, patients were considered as early or late presenters. Read More

Authors:

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyse the consequence of radial or femoral access during coronary interventions to radiation dose, fluorography time and a number of pseudoaneurysms following each type of intervention.

Background: According to the results of many recent studies (RIVAL, RIFLE-STEACS, STEMI RADIAL), current guidelines favour radial over femoral access during coronary intervention for safety, especially in cases of acute coronary syndromes. However, several papers have referred to problems in the design of these studies and the management of antithrombotic therapy. Read More

Background: The recent reclassification of heart failure (HF) patients in the 2016 European Society of Cardiology HF guidelines according to the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) has created a 'grey area' consisting of midrange ejection fraction (mrEF) HF patients with LVEFs of 40-49%. Additionally, there is limited data regarding the in-hospital and long-term prognoses of patients with an mrEF after an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the baseline characteristics, in-hospital and long-term mortalities, clinical events in mrEF, preserved ejection fraction (pEF), and reduced ejection fraction (rEF) patients during their hospital stays in a cohort of consecutive STEMI patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Read More

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is related to an increased stroke risk. At present, differentiation between patients with paroxysmal AF (pAF) and without is only possible during AF episodes and not during sinus rhythm. If AF could be diagnosed more quickly and reliably, anticoagulation therapy may be administered and prevent from cardioembolic strokes. Read More

Background: A long-detection interval (LDI) programming has been proved to reduce shock therapy in patients who underwent de novo implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation. We aimed to evaluate effectiveness and safety of this new strategy in old ICD recipients.

Methods: We included 147 primary prevention patients with ischaemic and non-ischaemic aetiology. Read More

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most comorbid conditions in critically ill patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU). Multiple studies have suggested that there may be an association between new-onset AF and adverse outcome in critically ill patients. However, there are no meta-analyses to assess this association. Read More

Authors:

Background: The peak oxygen uptake (VOpeak) test is the gold standard for cardiorespiratory fitness. However, the test is demanding, requiring sophisticated apparatus for measuring the oxygen uptake. Peak work rate (WRpeak) testing is a promising substitute for peak VOpeak testing. Read More

Objective: According to Golden ratio (GR) and Fibonacci sequence, models of the organisation of various structures can be encountered in biology, medicine, architecture and engineering. Recent studies indicate that GR can be highlighted in the organisation and physiological functioning of the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to investigate the cardiovascular homeostasis during rest and exercise testing by determining the GR validity at the dynamic level of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) and heart rate (HR) values. Read More

Objective: To evaluate left atrial (LA) deformation parameters strain (S)/strain rate (SR) and time to peak S/SR obtained by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in patients with hypertension for three LA mechanical phases and to compare them with the same indices in the control subjects.

Methods: Fifty-five patients with hypertension (HT) and 29 healthy controls were included in the study. All patients had normal LA poster-anterior diameter, LA and left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEF >50%) in two-dimensional echocardiography (2-DE). Read More

Objective: The aim of this study is research relation of serum neopterin level with mortality and morbidity due to systolic HF and also its role in diagnosis of patients with systolic HF.

Material And Methods: Eighty-one patients with systolic heart failure (HF group) and eighty-one age- and gender-matched healthy subjects (the control group) were enrolled in the study. Echocardiographic examination was performed accordingly. Read More

Background: Lipoprotein (a) (Lp [a]) is associated with premature atherosclerosis in menopausal women without metabolic syndrome (MS). MS is the main confounder in the relationship between Lp(a) and atherosclerosis in menopausal women. We have evaluated the relationship between Lp(a) and small dense-low density lipoprotein (sd-LDL) in 228 menopausal women participating to Progetto Atena. Read More

Authors:

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate oxidative DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and to explore the relationship of oxidised purine and pyrimidine with oxidative stress.

Authors:

a Department of Cardiology , Emergency County Hospital Craiova, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova , Craiova , Romania.

Speckle tracking echocardiography offers a unique opportunity to evaluate myocardial function, and global longitudinal strain (GLS) is currently recommended as a measurement of global left ventricular function. To facilitate clinical applicability of the method, collective efforts have been made to standardise strain measurements and to raise awareness of the potential sources of variability. The purpose of this review is to familiarise the reader with the most common sources of variability of longitudinal strain measurements and detail the possible measures to increase the accuracy and reproducibility of strain parameters. Read More

Background: The role of percutaneous patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure for prevention of migraine is controversial.

Methods: We performed a computerised search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and COCHRANE databases through December 2017 for randomised trials evaluating PFO closure versus control in patients with migraine headaches (with or without aura). The main study outcome was the reduction in monthly migraine attacks after PFO closure compared with the control group. Read More

Authors:

Background: Development of carcinoid heart disease (CHD) is the major negative prognostic factor in patients with the carcinoid syndrome. The only effective treatment is valve replacement. However, the selection of candidates and determination of optimal timing remain unclear. Read More

Introduction: The use of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) for breast cancer led to a marked change in ventricular function. Since accumulating evidence indicates that overactivation of the cardiac renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertrophy and remodelling, we aimed to investigate whether letrozole alters the transcription level of RAS related genes in the cardiac tissue.

Methods: Twenty four rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6 per group): two groups were letrozole treated (1 and 2 mg/kg/day orally), one group was vehicle treated (DMSO) and one group was the control group without any treatment. Read More

Authors:

Background: Sacubitril/valsartan reduced heart failure (HF)-admissions and cardiovascular mortality in the PARADIGM-HF-trial. However, real-world patients are often frailer and less able to tolerate high doses of sacubitril/valsartan.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients prescribed sacubitril/valsartan in a single tertiary HF-clinic between December 2016 and January 2018. Read More

A 28-year-old lady with rheumatic heart disease presented with dyspnoea and overt right heart failure and was admitted for stabilization. She had respirophasic desaturation predominantly during inspiration. Trans-oesophageal echocardiography revealed the aetiology of the same and dictated the management strategy. Read More